They had three children and Dhiraj ran his own small business, working
as a silversmith. Like almost everyone else in the village, the family
worshipped all the local deities faithfully.
But strife was taking its toll on their marriage. Dhiraj was addicted
to alcohol. He also embarrassed himself by flirting with the young
women in their village, much to his wife’s embarrassment and dismay.
Then Dhiraj would come home drunk and yell at his wife over trivial
matters. Their marriage was crumbling, and Nutan had reached her
breaking point.
One day she decided she couldn’t take any more. After a heated
argument, she started to drink acid. Dhiraj was able to stop her—but not
before she’d already burned her throat. A fearful Dhiraj raced his wife
to the hospital.
Nutan’s medical treatment placed added financial stress on the
family. Because they could no longer afford to pay school fees for all
three of their children, they had to stop sending their youngest child
to school.
Redemption Arrives
During this difficult time, a Gospel for Asia-supported missionary named
Sudeep was sharing the good news in Dhiraj’s village one day and
stopped by Dhiraj’s house. Dhiraj listened attentively as Sudeep told
him of Christ’s love. When Sudeep was finished, Dhiraj told the
missionary he was eager to know more about Jesus. Sudeep invited him to
come to Sunday worship services at his church.
Dhiraj accepted the invitation and started going to Sudeep’s church.
Dhiraj continued seeking the Lord, and one day God spoke to him through
Sudeep’s sermon. Seeing God’s amazing holiness, Dhiraj realized he was a
sinner. Dhiraj confessed his sins and asked Jesus into his heart.
Afterward, Dhiraj became a committed member of the congregation, and
God transformed his life. He stopped drinking alcohol and gave all his
attention to his wife, rather than flirting with other women. His family
members and neighbors were excited to see the changes in Dhiraj’s life,
but they disapproved of the fact he had become a Christian. In spite of
gossip and opposition, however, Dhiraj stood firm in the Lord and
refused to turn his back on Jesus.
Transformation Spreads
Even though she liked the changes in her husband’s life, Nutan kept her
distance from Jesus. Then she became seriously ill. Doctors told Dhiraj
that Nutan needed an operation, which would require her to receive
blood. To help make it possible for Nutan to have the surgery, Pastor
Sudeep and two members of the church donated blood and helped pay for
the procedure.
The operation was a success and Nutan’s health improved. As she
healed, Sudeep came to visit and pray for her. He also shared God’s love
with her several times. Seeing Sudeep’s care for her, along with her
husband’s transformation, Nutan realized Jesus’ love was truly
transforming, and she gave her heart to Him. Once a troubled couple,
Dhiraj and Nutan now live in peace, both serving their Savior. Their
changed lives are also an encouragement to others in the village, who
are now open to Jesus as a result.
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